An astronaut trying to retrieve a monkey in space ends up landing on a planet inhabited by talking human-like apes. Leo Davidson finds himself captured by the apes and placed in a cage with other humans. All the apes take this same 'human hating' attitude, with the exception of one. A kind, female ape called Ari sees something different in these humans, and plans to help them in whatever they need to do.

Thade's Father: Damn them! General Thade: I will stop him, father. Thade's Father: Damn them... damn them all to hell!

Movie Trivia:

Mark Wahlberg joined the film after meeting with Tim Burton for only five minutes. He was so anxious to work with the director that he agreed to play any part. Wahlberg dropped out of the role of Linus in Ocean's Eleven (2001) to do this film. He refused to wear a loincloth like Charlton Heston did in Planet of the Apes (1968) because he did not want to remind audiences of his underwear modeling.

Director Trademark: [Tim Burton] Scarecrows

Director Trademark: [Tim Burton] music (Danny Elfman)

Michael Clarke Duncan had sprained his ankle during filming and was forced to go to the hospital in his full gorilla makeup.